RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS MUST WAGE JIHAD AGAINST FEUDAL SYSTEM INSTEAD OF PROPAGATING IT AMONGST THE POOR AND MIDDLECLASS

RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS MUST WAGE JIHAD AGAINST FEUDAL SYSTEM INSTEAD OF PROPAGATING IT AMONGST THE POOR AND MIDDLECLASS – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 1^st May 2003

MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that ninety-eight percent poor and middleclass people of Pakistan are trapped in the clutches of feudals and jaagirdars, therefore, the religious extremists must wage jihad against feudal system instead of propagating it amongst the poor and middleclass. He was addressing a Labour Convention organised by the United Labour Federation on the occasion of First May at the Hasrat Mohani Hall in North Nazimabad, Karachi. Provincial ministers Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari, Adil Siddiqui, MQM members of national and provincial assemblies, office bearers of MQM Labour Division, representatives of other labour unions, labour leaders and thousands of labours attended the Convention. While addressing the Labour Convention Mr Hussain said that development in any department throughout the world is because of the labour force. He said that Middle East and United Arab Emirates had huge oil reserves but for the development of industries, labour force was brought in from Pakistan and other countries. Today the development in the States of Middle East is because of the labour force. He said that workforce is present in Pakistan but the country has no resources for providing work. If the country’s system had based on fairness and equality and in the 56 years if Pakistan’s economy would have flourished then the Pakistani workforce would not have looked at other countries. If the workforce of Pakistan and South Asia Region can develop Middle East and bring it to the level of developed countries then the same workforce can also develop their respective countries in line with other developed countries of the world.

Mr Hussain said that for the past 56 years Pakistan’s economy has failed to stand on its own feet and if America, western countries, World Bank and IMF stop providing aid and loan to Pakistan then the country would not survive even for a single day only on the basis of national exchequer. Neither our country’s economy is strong nor we are standing on our own feet but certain elements continue to propagate jihad to save other countries. These so-called religious parties should commence jihad from their homes so as the country’s economy could be strengthened, resources be increased so that along with development of the country the labour force could also improve their economic condition and provide higher education to their children. The religious leaders of Pakistan send the children of poor labours to jihad whereas their own children are studying in America and Britain. These religious extremists leaders do not realise that inflation is rising, buying power of the poor is decreasing and the poor labours could not provide higher education and healthy diet to their children. The political and religious leaders of Pakistan raise the rhetoric of rights for 98 percent poor people but after acquiring power they forget their pledges. Mr Hussain asked that how could those who have never faced problems, are not aware of the difficulties faced by a commuter, have never felt hunger, understand the basic problems faced by the poor people of the country? Those born with a golden spoon in their mouth could never solve the problems of the poor people. Mr Hussain said that he is the only leader in Pakistan who has worked as a common man and tutored students to complete his education and commuted to school and college in public transport and therefore, understands the real problems faced by common man. Mr Hussain said, “MQM wishes to abolish the feudal system from the country. If the labour force does not agree with me then they should come forward, form a political party and evolve leadership from among themselves. The labours, workforce and peasants of Punjab, NWFP, Balochistan and Sindh are enslaved by a few families and we are struggling to liberate them from the clutches of the feudals and jaagirdars.” Mr Hussain said that the religious extremists instead of propagating jihad amongst the poor people should wage jihad against the feudals system for the rights of labours and the workforce.

Mr Hussain said that he was termed as Indian agent when he advocated that Pakistan and India should not go to war and establish friendly and cordial relations because both countries are poor and the people of both the countries need water, food, health and education and they do not need arms and ammunition. And today different political and religious leaders are speaking of friendship between India and Pakistan. He asked, “how can Altaf Hussain be termed traitor and for other political and religious leaders the same statement is Islamic?”

Mr Hussain appealed to Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, Pakthoon, Seraiki, Kashmiri and religious minorities workforce that if they want to attain the rights of 98 percent poor and middleclass then they must unite. He announced that as Muttahida Quami Movement is representative of the 98 percent poor and middleclass therefore people of all nationalities and religious minorities should come forward, join the MQM and spreads its righteous message in every nook and corner of the country. He said that we believe that the righteous struggle would be successful and Insha Allah (God willing) the day will come when Islamabad will also witness revolution of poor labours. He said that the 98 percent poor and middleclass people of the country are fully enlightened and aware that the leadership of those political parties, which have usurped their rights, is in the hands of the feudal oligarchy, which do not want to solve their problems. He further said that such process of awakening among the poor people would unite the workforce, labours and all the oppressed sections of the society under one banner thus forever abolishing the oppressive medieval feudal system from the country. He stressed upon the participants to remember the sacrifices of the martyrs of First May and remain united. Mr Hussain praised the efforts of the members of United Labour Federation for organising the Labour Convention and also expressed his appreciation to the representatives of labour unions, labour leaders and the labours of Sindh Province for taking part in the Convention.